# stagnant

/ˈstæɡnənt/ (US) · /stˈæɡnənt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stagnant
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

describing water that is not moving and often smells bad, or a situation that is not growing or changing.

For teachers: showing no activity, movement, or growth; often used to describe bodies of water that lack a current or flow. Frequently applied metaphorically to economies or careers that have ceased to develop.

## Examples

- The air in the old room felt heavy and stagnant.
- Mosquitoes often breed in stagnant water that collects in old tires after a heavy rain.
- Economists warned that without significant investment in new technology, the nation's industrial sector would remain stagnant while its global competitors continued to innovate.

## Usage notes

- Often follows linking verbs like 'become', 'remain', or 'stay'.

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